Smouha name Fady Farid to lead attack against Al Ahly

Smouha have named Fady Farid as their lone striker for their Egyptian Premier League meeting with Al Ahly, which brings the third round of the competition to a close.

The match is scheduled to begin at 20:00 at Cairo International Stadium, with Smouha making one change to their midfield from the side expected to face the reigning Egyptian giants. Mohamed Farouk comes into the starting XI in place of Marwan Hamdy.

Senegalese forward Papy Badji is not included in Smouha’s squad for the game.

Smouha will line up with Ahmed Meyhoub in goal, while the defence consists of Hesham Hafez, Mohamed Desouky, Mohamed Ragab and Abdelrahman Amer.

The midfield five are Samir Fikri, Amr El Sisi, Atadjiko Samadou, Khaled El Ghandour and Mohamed Farouk. Farid is selected on his own at the top of the formation.

Smouha’s substitutes are Hussein Taimour, Ahmed Abdelrasoul, Marwan Hamdy, Ahmed El Nady, Mohamed Adel, Abdelghany Mohamed, Ali Gamal, Emmanuel Eteki and Mohamed Kone.

Al Ahly go into the fixture fourth in the table with six points from their opening two matches. Smouha are 17th with one point, making the meeting an important opportunity for them to improve their position at the end of the third round.

The starting line-up gives Farid responsibility for leading Smouha’s attack against an Al Ahly side positioned in the upper part of the table. The absence of Badji means the Senegalese player will not be available among the options selected for the match, while Hamdy begins on the bench after being replaced by Farouk in midfield.

The Cairo International Stadium will host the contest as both teams seek a positive result. Al Ahly’s six-point total places them fourth before kick-off, while Smouha’s single point leaves them 17th in the Egyptian Premier League standings.

The match is the final fixture of the third round, with Smouha’s announced XI confirmed as Ahmed Meyhoub; Hesham Hafez, Mohamed Desouky, Mohamed Ragab and Abdelrahman Amer; Samir Fikri, Amr El Sisi, Atadjiko Samadou, Khaled El Ghandour and Mohamed Farouk; and Fady Farid.

Their substitutes complete the matchday squad, with Hussein Taimour, Ahmed Abdelrasoul, Marwan Hamdy, Ahmed El Nady, Mohamed Adel, Abdelghany Mohamed, Ali Gamal, Emmanuel Eteki and Mohamed Kone available to be introduced during the game.